Pediatric Uveitis

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Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Pediatric Uveitis

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u ... gle+Search

these articles outlines treatment as well as the most common causes of all three types of uveitis in all age groups of children. many of these same 'causes' translate into the adult population as well. with over 85 different causes of uveitis, many are omitted however so please do not think that only these things are related to uveitis.

HLA B27 related uveitis is mentioned in the tables for example in the non granulomatus anterior uveitis (iritis and iridocyclitis) but it can also cause later onset intermediate and posterior uveitis as well as late onset changes to the eye. there are many other causes that can be determined should one get a 'bug' while around animals or from playing fields pr pastures where animals have left fecal matter. individuals who have traveled or have spent some time in an under developed part of the World can sometimes develop uveitis as well.

Scleritis can occur in children too along with some of the autoimmune diseases mentioned.

under treated uveitis in children can quickly turn to severe vision loss with complications of cystoid Macular edema, epiretinal membrane formation, elevated intra ocular pressure from disease or the corticosteroids used to treat the child resulting in damage to the optic nerve (glaucoma). Cataracts can also develop in children and may require surgery to remove. both the disease and the corticosteroids can cause cataracts to develop. We suggest that a corticosteroid sparing approach be implemented quickly in children with autoimmune related uveitis. treatment algorithms for various types of uveitis can be found at http://www.uveitis.org the website of the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation in Cambridge, MA USA. the website was founded by C Stephen Foster MD. who is the top Ocular Immunologist in the USA and perhaps the World. He developed these treatment algorithms while Teaching Opthalmology and training Ocular Immunologists at Harvard Medical School and MEEI. a couple of years ago he founded the Foundation and the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute where he trains Fellows and practices Ocular Immunology.

Because of severe consequences from not aggressively treating uveitis in children by many opthalmologists needless permanent loss of occurs: vision which could be avoided had a true expert in the diagnosis and treatment of all Ocular Inflammatory diseases been brought into a consulting status or as the primary opthalmologist. These rare opthalmologists are called Ocular Immunologists. they are what is known as 'fellowship trained' opthalmologists in this sub Specialty of opthalmology. They don't exist in every City, or State. most are linked to Major teaching hospitals affiliated with University Medical Schools.
a list of these specialists can be found at http://www.uveitis.org in the PATIENT information section of the site on the SPECIALIST list. you can look through this list or you can ask me to suggest a specialist for a consultation.

Wishing all of our members the very best,
Mike Bartolatz
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